Commonly Misused Words and Phrases - Part II

Let us continue with our lesson on Commonly Misused Words and Phrases:

Balance, remainder. Balance in bookkeeping refers to the difference between the debit and credit sides of a ledger. It should not be misused for remainder, which means something left over.

Incorrect: We can do the balance of the work on two hours.

Correct: We can do the rest (OR remainder) of the work on two hours.

Besides. Means in addition to, furthermore, moreover.

Correct: Besides, the trip is too expensive.

Beside means by the side of.

Correct: We placed the filing cabinet beside the desk.

Between, among. (1) As a general rule, use between when referring to two objects; among always refer to more than two.

Correct: Mr. Cruz divided the territory between the two salesmen.

Correct: Mr. Santos divided the surplus profits among the three managers.

(2) Use between when expressing a relationship of a thing, person, or place to other things, persons, or places collectively and individually.

Correct: There is quite a difference between Manila and other cities of comparable size.

Between you and I. Never correct. Always say between you and me.

But that. This expression is often wrongly used for that.

Correct: We do not doubt that you sent the message.

But what. The phrase is often erroneously used for that, but that, and so forth.

Correct: We have no doubt that he will attend.

Correct: There is no salesman who does not make (NOT but what makes or but who makes) mistakes in judgment.

Correct: He included nothing but what (EQUIVALENT TO but that which) was important.

Cable. Correct as a verb, as in the sentence, "I will cable you when I reach Davao City." A colloquialism when used as a noun in place of cablegram: "I will send you a cable when I reach Davao City."

Can, may. Can denotes ability or power. May denotes permission. Never use can for may.

Cannot help. It is preferable to use a gerund rather than an infinitive with but.

Correct: I cannot help thinking (NOT but think) how capable our division manager is.

Complected.  Instead say complexioned: "He was dark-complexioned boy."

Considerable. Do not use for the adverb considerably.

Correct: He accomplished considerably (NOT considerable) more than previously.

Continuous, continual. Continuous means without interruption or cessation.

Correct: He worked continuously (without interruption) for ten hours.

Continual means occurring in close recurrence, or frequently repeated.

Correct: The bell tolled continually (intermittently) throughout the night.

Could of.  A vulgarism for could have, the result of careless, slovenly pronunciation.

Counsel, council, consul. Counsel is advise given or a legal adviser. "The state appointed a lawyer to serve as the defendants counsel." A council is a legislative or advisory body. "The council was composed of fifteen representatives." A consul is a government official residing in a foreign country. "The stranded Filipinos appealed their case to the Philippine consul.

Credible, credulous, creditable. Credible refers to that which is believable. "The story of the robbery did not seen credible." Credulous describes a person who readily believes, accepts, or taken for granted as true that which is stated. "The credulous customer believed the fairy tale." Creditable refers to that which is meritorious or praiseworthy. "His sales record was creditable."